All-rounder James Faulkner named Australia A captain

All-rounder James Faulkner has been endorsed as a future candidate for Test captaincy after being named skipper of Australia A.

Faulkner will lead the side in two four-day fixtures against India A in Brisbane in July and then another two matches against South Africa A in Townsville in August.

The 24-year-old has impressed in all forms of the game since bursting onto the international scene in Twenty20 cricket in 2012.

Although last year's Ashes dead rubber at The Oval in London remains his only Test appearance, Faulkner has shown enough to suggest it may be just a matter of time until he secures a permanent place in the team.

National selector Rod Marsh said Faulkner had impressed with his tenacity, maturity and his ability to perform under pressure.

"James is a young man with plenty of character and possesses a great desire to win," Marsh said.

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"He is still developing as an all-rounder but we believe this captaincy provides him an opportunity to do that as well as develop his leadership skills."

Faulkner says he doesn't yet see himself as a national leader in the making, but is embracing the opportunity handed to him.

"We'll just take one step at a time," he said. "I want to make sure my game is in good check firstly and we'll see what happens. Any time you get to captain a team it's a challenge and I'm looking forward to it."

Faulkner leads an Australia A side against India A that includes Phillip Hughes, Alex Doolan, Moises Henriques, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh and Ben Cutting.

Against South Africa A, Sheffield Shield leading wicket-taker Steve O'Keefe joins the squad, pending a fitness test on his right shoulder.

In between the four-day fixtures, Australia A will play a series of one-dayers in Darwin and Palmerston, and Cameron White will be captain.

Promising fast bowler Pat Cummins will continue his comeback from numerous injury setbacks as part of the 50-over team.

The winter matches provide fringe international players with a chance press their claims for Australia's one-day tour of Zimbabwe in August and the Test team's trip to the UAE to face Pakistan in October.

Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon are on standby for the four-day and one-day Australia A series and may play if it is thought it might help with their preparation.